Means & Solutions: English Vocabulary List

a simple and effective solution to a difficult problem

"There is no silver bullet for this problem."

"There is no silver bullet for this problem and we must try multiple solutions."

the quick and direct path to achieving a goal or completing a project

"He is on the fast track to management."

"He is on the fast track to management and will likely become a director within three years."

to try to solve one's problem by spending money on it

"They keep throwing money at the problem."

"The government keeps throwing money at the healthcare system without addressing the root causes."

to be willing to do whatever necessary to improve one's current situation, regardless of one's chance of success

"Grasping at straws."

"With no other options available, he was forced to grasp at straws to save his business."

to eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time

"Don't worry, it will come out in the wash."

"All these minor problems will eventually come out in the wash if we just remain patient."

to manage to go through a difficulty without many consequences

"We will weather the storm together."

"The small business managed to weather the storm of the economic recession and survived when many others failed."

to succeed in achieving the required result or solving the encountered problem

"A little glue will do the job."

"A simple hammer will do the job of breaking this old wall without needing any expensive tools."

referring to every possible method or strategy to achieve a goal, even if they are deceitful or unethical

"The lawyer used every trick in the book."

"The salesman used every trick in the book to convince us to buy the expensive extended warranty for our new car."

an immediate solution that offers temporary relief or improvement to a problem without addressing the root cause

"The repair was just a quick fix."

"The repair was just a quick fix and the problem returned worse than before."

to eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time

"It will come out in the wash."

"Don't worry too much about the small issues; they will likely come out in the wash."